LLS Portfolio Book

Abruzzo Before being conquered by the Romans, Abruzzo was inhabited by the Italic people, of which one particularly pugnacious tribe was the Samnites. The tribe fought against Roman rule so fiercely that when Rome finally conquered the area they named it Samnium in honor of the Samnites. After their conquest, the Romans established the first series of roads in the area and added luxuries such as spas and amphitheaters. Many elements of Tuscan Renaissance architecture can be seen in the churches and cathedrals of the area. Until 1963, Molise and Abruzzo were combined into a single territory known as Abruzzi. The western part of the Abruzzo is dominated by the Appenine Mountains. This part of the mountain range offers slopes ideal for skiers and campers. The eastern Abruzzo has miles of coastline along the Adriatic Sea offering some of Italy’s best beaches. Abruzzo boasts a single DOCG—Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Teramane—but is far more widely known for its DOC-level Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. The Montepulciano grape produces large yields of ripe fruit. Rosato versions of Montepulciano are bottled under the term cerasuolo. For several years, the perception of Abruzzese wine suffered due to the massive production figures from a geographically small area. High-quality wines from this area, on the other hand, can exhibit a mineralic component because of the calcareous clay soils that cover the area.

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WINES OF CENTRAL ITALY